Police say they arrested a Just Stop Oil protester who attempted to climb a gantry on the M25 near Brentwood earlier today. 

The group, which is calling on the Government to halt new oil and gas licences, said in a statement that from 6.30am this morning (November 10), supporters climbed onto gantries in multiple locations along the M25. 

Essex Police said one of its officers saw a woman attempting to climb a gantry near junction 8 just before 7am. A woman was subsequently removed and arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance. 

The force added that one lane of the M25 was closed for just over half an hour. 

Chief Supt Simon Anslow said: “The response this morning was extremely quick with our officers arresting a woman before she had the opportunity to cause further disruption. 

“We put a single lane closure in place to protect our officer and the detained person on the hard shoulder. Our working at heights team arrived within two minutes to provide support and it took a total of just 31 minutes before all lanes were reopened completely.” 

This Is Local London: Supporters of Just Stop Oil climbed onto gantries in multiple locations along the M25Supporters of Just Stop Oil climbed onto gantries in multiple locations along the M25 (Image: Just Stop Oil)

Today’s disruptions follow weeks of action from Just Stop Oil, including the shutting of the Dartford Crossing last month for two days. 

A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said: “We will not be intimidated by changes to the law, we will not be stopped by private injunctions sought to silence peaceful people.  

“Our supporters understand that these are irrelevant when set against mass starvation, slaughter, the loss of our rights, freedoms and communities.” 

Yesterday (November 9), an officer was injured in a collision with a lorry while responding to a protester near Enfield. 

Ch Supt Anslow said the officer is “making a full recovery”. 

“Thank you to the public for their support, it’s really appreciated,” he added. 

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